Legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, at 48 years old, has come to the defense of Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti while also praising the results achieved by Gennaro Gattuso at Lazio.
In an interview with “Gazzetta dello Sport,” Buffon analyzed the crisis currently faced by the “bianconeri.” “If there is any hope, it lies in giving Spalletti the chance to complete what he has started. When you change five coaches in four years, it is clear that the issue is not solely with the technician,” Buffon noted.
Buffon Reflects on Juventus’ 0-3 Loss to Lazio
The 2006 World Cup champion attributed the heavy defeat at home to Lazio to accumulated fatigue and a significant number of injuries. “This squad may not be the most valuable in Juventus’ history, but when key players like Yildiz, Locatelli, Thuram, Ekhator, Milik, and Grabara are unavailable, their absence weighs as heavily as that of Cannavaro, Buffon, Totti, Nesta, and Pirlo for Italy. You are forced to rebuild on the go, missing fundamental pieces. Spalletti does not make excuses; however, the team played just three days after traveling to Vigo and returned to Turin at five in the morning. Lazio played at double speed. Even Bremer, probably the strongest athlete in the league, was clearly outpaced by Bashiru. Rino pays attention to every detail in physical preparation,” he explained.
Buffon also criticized Bremer for his remarks after the match, emphasizing the importance of self-criticism: “Before making such direct accusations, you must be sure that you have given absolutely everything on the pitch.”
Buffon Commends Gattuso’s Success at Lazio
Buffon expressed admiration for Gattuso, reaffirming his recommendation for him to lead the “Squadra Azzurra” during a challenging time. “I knew what he could do; I recommended him for the role because I knew he could establish an immediate connection with the locker room, instilling empathy and a strong sense of belonging beyond labels and prejudices. He already had twelve years of coaching experience and the authority necessary to pull the national team out of its identity crisis. At that moment, he was the ideal solution. If some were looking for a figure like Zidane—tall, freshly shaven, and sophisticated—they probably had entirely different expectations,” he remarked.
Buffon on Lazio’s Revival Under Gattuso
Highlighting the qualitative leap made by Lazio, Buffon drew a parallel between Gattuso and the illustrious Marcello Lippi. “Before the season started, predictions placed Lazio between ninth and eleventh. Finishing in the top seven would be a notable success, while a top-six finish would be remarkable, and qualifying for the Champions League would represent a huge achievement. The team seems reborn, playing with courage, clear patterns, and aggressive intensity. Rino’s ability to keep the group united and maximize each player’s potential is reminiscent of Lippi’s style,” he said.
Buffon Defends Gattuso After Missed World Cup Qualification
Buffon also defended Gattuso regarding his time as head coach of the national team, despite the failure to qualify for the World Cup. “In a match played in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where modern football offers no imbalanced games, we played 80 minutes with a man down, missed three huge chances, and were disadvantaged by a clear red card against Palestra. Can anyone really call that a failure? If we had won 1-0, everyone would have praised the determination and defensive phase. After losing on penalties, it was immediately labeled a disaster. Such radical judgments are unfounded,” he concluded.
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